US Senate votes against indefinite detention of Caribbean, other nationals

Source: Jamaica Observer

US Senate votes against indefinite detention of Caribbean, other nationals
Tuesday, December 04, 2012

WASHINGTON, USA (CMC) — The United States Senate has voted in favour of barring the government from the indefinite detention of Caribbean and other nationals who are citizens and permanent residents of that country.

The Senate voted 67 to 29 in adding the measure — sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, and Republican Mike Lee of Utah — as an amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act, now pending on the Senate floor.

"What if something happens, and you are of the wrong race in the wrong place at the wrong time, and you are picked up and held without trial or charge in detention ad infinitum?" said Feinstein during the floor debate.

"We want to clarify that that isn't the case — that the law does not permit an American or a legal resident to be picked up and held without end, without charge or trial," she added.